CYCLING BIO
Born 24 June 1972
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Robbie McEwen started his cycling journey on a BMX, winning Australian title, before switching to road racing in 1990, at 18, with his professional career spanning from 1996 until 2012.
At the peak of his powers Robbie McEwen was the world’s best sprinter.
He won 12 stages at the Tour de France and 12 at the Giro d’Italia, more than every other Australian cyclist combined, at the time of his retirement at the Tour of California, in May 2012.
In 2002 he become the first Australian to win the green jersey at the Tour de France, for the points classification. A feat he repeated in 2004 and 2006.
The first signs of his sprinting prowess on the international stage were at the "Peace Race", winning three stages for the Australian National team.
He competed in the road race at the Olympics in 1996 (23rd), 2000 (19th) and 2004 (11th).
At the 2002 UCI Road Cycling World Championship, in Belgium, where he won the silver medal, behind the great Italian sprinter, Mario Cippolini.
He also won the Australian road championships in 2002 and 2005.
McEwen was named 2002 Australian Cyclist of the Year, 2002 Male Road Cyclist of the Year and 1999 Australia Male Road Cyclist of the Year.
Major Achievements
- Tour de France
- 12 stage wins from 1999 to 2007
- Three times winner of the points classification (green jersey) 2002, 2004, 2006
- Yellow jersey for one day in 2004
- Giro d’Italia
- 12 stage wins from 2002 to 2007
- Pink jersey for two stages in 2005
- 1st Paris-Brussels 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
- 2nd UCI Road World Championships 2002, road race
